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This audacious getaway of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado involved a long, “scary” and soaking boat journey in the dead of night, as detailed by the American man who says he led the operation.

A Dangerous Nocturnal Crossing

Bryan Stern, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the mission in a recent media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting dark and choppy conditions that simultaneously offered ideal concealment for the escape.

“The ocean was perfect for our purposes, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the bigger the swells, the harder it is for radar to see,” he remarked.

He described rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding for over a year due to fear of targeting by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Detailed Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a 13- to 14-hour trip to an secret location to board a flight, as part of orchestrated just days before. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, extremely low visibility, boats have no lights. Everyone was quite damp. My team and I were soaked to the gills. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

Describing her condition, he commented, “She was very happy. She was thrilled. She was very tired,” adding that about two dozen people were directly involved within his team.

Verification and Disguise

Spokespeople for Machado confirmed that Stern’s company was behind the operation, which began on Tuesday. This account comes after earlier stories that Machado used a wig and costume to leave her safe house in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge details about the land operation, referencing his company’s future work in the region.

Financing and US Involvement

He told media the mission was financed by “a few generous donors” – with no US government figures involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, at least not that I know of,” Stern asserted.

He said, however, that his group did coordinate informally with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, primarily to prevent being mistakenly fired upon.

Next Steps and Inspiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has announced plans to go back, though it is not clear the method or timing.

Stern indicated his group would play no part in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not in. “That’s for her to determine for herself. Personally, I advise against returning. But she wants to. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.